Motion to approve single‑car garage at 328 Caroline St fails after board raises questions about permeable driveway

The Saratoga Springs Zoning Board of Appeals on Feb. 10 discussed an appeal by Dan and Tracy Zanata seeking area variances to construct a single‑car garage and driveway at 328 Caroline St. The application sought relief for increased principal coverage, reduced rear and side setbacks and other dimensional variances. The board spent substantial time on whether a proposed permeable driveway could be treated as pervious for zoning calculations.

City staff told the board that permeable pavement may be counted as impervious unless the applicant can “materially demonstrate that the effective infiltration rate of the surface meets or exceeds 1.1 inches per hour.” The building and zoning inspector said the applicant’s recent submittal lacked sufficient manufacturer or installer…